“Just because there is one bad apple, does not mean you throw the whole system out. There just needs to be more student oversight.”
- Student Association President Rob Grover

Former Student Association president Russ Rueden, accused of stealing $10,000 from the Sandburg Halls Administrative Council (SHAC), filed a motion to dismiss the charges of the embezzlement case on Nov. 2.

The motion argues that Rueden had the right to transfer the money in question to his company’s account, though it may not have ethical to do so. The defense assumes that since the three SA branches – legislative, judicial and executive – each receive a budget and Rueden was president at the time, he had the legal ability to spend the money as he thought was best for the SA.

The defense cites the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee SA v. Baum, which states “students shall have primary responsibility for the formulation and review of policies concerning student life, services and interests.”

Senate Speaker Dan Bahr said that Rueden has gotten a bad rap and reminds people to wait until all the facts are in to give Rueden a fair trial.

“This is a case in point, where debate can spark what is good and bad politics versus the legality of the situation,” Bahr said.

Bahr continued and said that the students elect the individuals who they feel will do the best for the student body.

Bylaws have since been changed in the wake of Rueden’s scandal. SA has put in its own bylaws stating that each head of branch, like the president, has to get approval from the Senate for any spending over $2,000. In addition, the executive branch got rid of its private account when SA President Rob Grover came into office.

Grover admits that he has not been following the Rueden case but said using the Baum case seems to be a weak point.

“We are governed by documents, not the association,” Grover said. “SA involves all members, not just the president or the Senate speaker.”

In September, Grover formed a Committee for Ethic Code headed up by Sen. Jon Weimer.

Earlier this year, Rueden was charged with embezzling $10,000 from SHAC when then president of SHAC, Matthew Franson, wrote a check that was allegedly for the creation of a student Web portal. Rueden put the money in an account belonging to a marketing company, AcerPrudens, of which he is part owner.

Grover said he feels this sad chapter in SA’s history is behind the organization.

“Just because there is one bad apple, does not mean you throw the whole system out,” said Grover. “There just needs to be more student oversight.”

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